Assemblymember Monica Wallace was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2016. As a private citizen and mother of two, she was frustrated and embarrassed at the lack for ethical representation that has plagued the 143rd Assembly District for years. Wallace’s two immediate predecessors in the 143rd District had ethics complaints filed against them by members of their staff and subsequently left office in disgrace.

In 2016, Wallace formed a grassroots team of neighbors, colleagues, and friends to launch a campaign focused on restoring ethical representation for Cheektowaga, Lancaster, and Depew in the state Assembly. Her message resonated with the voters of the 143rd Assembly District, who decidedly elected her to the office. Since being sworn in January 2017, Wallace has led the charge in the Assembly to fund public education, support the middle class, and clean up corruption that has historically run rampant in state government. Wallace is running for re-election in 2022 to continue building on the accomplishments of her first three terms. 

Wallace resides in Lancaster with her husband, John, and their two children. In addition to being a University at Buffalo School of Law alumna, she served as a faculty member at the School of Law prior to her run for Assembly. She also served as a federal court confidential law clerk for 14 years. Following decennial redistricting this year, the 143rd Assembly District will be comprised of the entire town of Cheektowaga, the villages of Depew, Sloan, and Lancaster, and the neighborhoods of Lovejoy and Broadway-Fillmore in eastern Buffalo.